I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations. ~James Madison, speech, Virginia Convention, 1788
Fourth President
1809-1817
Born: March 16, 1751 in Port Conway, King George, Virginia
Died: June 28, 1836 in Montpelier in Virginia
Married to Dolley Payne Todd Madison
My Comments:
Looking forward to the new year I will try to provide present day quotes from current politicians and people of influence who believe as our founding fathers did.
Quotes and actions of freedom and liberty should be timeless.
If our leaders believed, acted and spoke as our founding fathers did, confidence would be restored in all that we do as a country.
Have a happy safe New Year and many more.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Funny Monday
Political cartoons provided by Townhall.com
Despite the country's economic meltdown, Congress is about to receive an automatic $4,700 pay raise on Thursday — a 2.8 percent increase over the current $169,300 salary for most members.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve 40 Years Ago
Only twenty four people in history have seen this stunning view of earthrise first hand. The crew of Apollo 8 were the first to witness the incredible and unanticipated sight of the earth rising over the lunar horizon on Christmas Eve, 1968
On December 21, 1968, Apollo 8 blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida and three days later, Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders became the first humans to enter lunar orbit.
The mission ultimately led to the first footsteps on the moon when Neil Armstrong took his "one small step" in 1969.
Apollo 8 also marked a rare moment of unity in the United States in a tumultuous year marred by the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy, violence peaking during the Vietnam War and riots across American cities.
Shortly after entering the moon's orbit, astronauts aboard the Apollo 8 witnessed Earth rising above the moon.
"Earthrise," a photograph of the event taken by Anders, became one of the most famous images of the 20th century.
In a Christmas Eve broadcast timed to coincide with a full view of Earth, the crew read the first 10 verses of the Book of Genesis that forms the basis for Judaism, Christianity and Islam. You can read the complete article here.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Today In History
The Continental Congress commissioned George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on June 19, 1775. Washington was selected over other candidates such as John Hancock based on his previous military experience and the hope that a leader from Virginia could help unite the colonies. Washington left for Massachusetts within days of receiving his commission and assumed command of the Continental Army in Cambridge on July 3, 1775. After eight years of war, Washington resigned his commission as Commander in Chief on December 23, 1783.
The Journals of the Continental Congress reports that George Washington was unanimously selected as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. In a speech given to the Continental Congress on June 16, Washington accepted the commission and requested that he not receive a salary for his service, only that his expenses be paid at the conclusion of the war. On June 17, the Continental Congress drafted Washington’s commission as commander in chief.
The Journals of the Continental Congress reports that George Washington was unanimously selected as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. In a speech given to the Continental Congress on June 16, Washington accepted the commission and requested that he not receive a salary for his service, only that his expenses be paid at the conclusion of the war. On June 17, the Continental Congress drafted Washington’s commission as commander in chief.
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Name Has Been Changed To Protect The Guilty
I'm sure you have seen the comparison below before, but I figured with the next Bailout (sorry we are supposed to call it a RESCUE) being approved today, 17 Billion for starters, it deserves another look. I'm not ready to calculate Trillion. Please forgive us Great,Great Grand Children.
You are paying interest on every dollar that your government borrows from the Federal Reserve Bank. The bank that is not federal and has no reserves.
A Billion is a difficult number to comprehend. The next time you hear a Politician use the word "Billion," casually --- think about whether or not you want the politician spending your tax money.
A Billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into perspective in one of its releases.
A Billion Seconds ago -- it was 1976.
A Billion Minutes ago -- Jesus was alive.
A Billion Hours ago -- our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.
A Billion Days ago -- No-One walked on two feet on earth.
A Billion Dollars ago -- was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government spends it.
If you could travel back in time to the birth of Christ, the beginning of the Gregorian calendar, and could set aside $1,350,000 ($1.35 million) every day of every week, every day of every month, and every day of every year right up to today - you still wouldn't have enough to pay off the over two trillion dollars George W. Bush has increased the national debt since he took office.
Sorry George, your not the only one to blame.
Ford (First-on-rescue-day) Not taking any Rescue at this time.
You are paying interest on every dollar that your government borrows from the Federal Reserve Bank. The bank that is not federal and has no reserves.
A Billion is a difficult number to comprehend. The next time you hear a Politician use the word "Billion," casually --- think about whether or not you want the politician spending your tax money.
A Billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into perspective in one of its releases.
A Billion Seconds ago -- it was 1976.
A Billion Minutes ago -- Jesus was alive.
A Billion Hours ago -- our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.
A Billion Days ago -- No-One walked on two feet on earth.
A Billion Dollars ago -- was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government spends it.
If you could travel back in time to the birth of Christ, the beginning of the Gregorian calendar, and could set aside $1,350,000 ($1.35 million) every day of every week, every day of every month, and every day of every year right up to today - you still wouldn't have enough to pay off the over two trillion dollars George W. Bush has increased the national debt since he took office.
Sorry George, your not the only one to blame.
Ford (First-on-rescue-day) Not taking any Rescue at this time.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Open Book Test
Principle 7 - The proper role of government is to protect equal rights, not provide equal things.
The Founders recognized that the people cannot delegate to their government any power except that which they have the lawful right to exercise themselves.
Principal 7 is one of 28 principals from The 5000 Year Leap book I am currently reading. The answers to the challenges of today are with the founding fathers and The Constitution that we seem to ignore more every day. How can so many politicians who take an oath to uphold The Constitution know so little about it? Any body can take an oath, I suggest they be required to take a test on The Constitution prior to running for office , similar to the citizenship test with 100% required before running for office. We need to start expecting more from our politicians from the start. It can even be an open book test.
The Founders recognized that the people cannot delegate to their government any power except that which they have the lawful right to exercise themselves.
Principal 7 is one of 28 principals from The 5000 Year Leap book I am currently reading. The answers to the challenges of today are with the founding fathers and The Constitution that we seem to ignore more every day. How can so many politicians who take an oath to uphold The Constitution know so little about it? Any body can take an oath, I suggest they be required to take a test on The Constitution prior to running for office , similar to the citizenship test with 100% required before running for office. We need to start expecting more from our politicians from the start. It can even be an open book test.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Shoe
By now I'm sure most people have seen the man throw his shoes at George W. Bush, good arm by that free man and good duck by the President. Too many people in this country and around the world think the man that threw those shoes is a hero, far from it. The true heroes are all the freedom loving people who sacrificed life and limb and made it possible for the shoe thrower to live another day. He would have been walked outside and shot immediately during Saddam Husein's time. The president should keep those shoes on display at his presidential library one day and be very proud of them, or auction them off to the highest bidder and donate the money to a worthy cause. There will never be a ticker tape parade in this war on terror, so when you get the chance remember to thank the men and women of our armed forces and say a prayer for The United States of America.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Freedom Friday
The highest level of prosperity occurs when there is a free-market economy and a minimum of government regulations.
Prosperity depends upon a climate of wholesome stimulation with four basic freedoms in operation:
1. The Freedom to try.
2. The Freedom to buy.
3. The Freedom to sell.
4. The Freedom to fail.
I pulled this quote from a book I recently purchased, The 5000 Year Leap, more about that later.
Have a great weekend!
Prosperity depends upon a climate of wholesome stimulation with four basic freedoms in operation:
1. The Freedom to try.
2. The Freedom to buy.
3. The Freedom to sell.
4. The Freedom to fail.
I pulled this quote from a book I recently purchased, The 5000 Year Leap, more about that later.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Car Czar?
Fact
General Motors sold 9.37 million vehicles worldwide in 2007 and lost $38.7 billion. Toyota sold 9.37 million vehicles in 2007 and made $17.1 ...
I told my wife a few months ago that we might not recognize this country in about 10 years. I need to revise those comments, it is happening now.
We are nationalizing free markets!
Banks
Auto
Future Health Care
Oil and Energy (You should listen to Congress woman Maxine Waters here)
Generations of hard work are going to be turned over to our govt.?
I honestly believe the American auto makers have a better chance of surviving if the federal govt. stays out. There are already programs in place to handle these situations, bankruptcy. I would rather buy a vehicle from GM than GGM (GovtGM).
Congress will once again be going against the will of We The People because of the unions and their financial influence of mostly democratic congress members.
George W. Bush has disapointed me on the bail out issues. The republicans in congress may stop the auto bail out this time, but it's just a matter of time with the new administration taking over.
Have a little fun and try making up some govt. car names. Remember the Yugo? How about YUOWE or IOU SUV or Cadilack.
General Motors sold 9.37 million vehicles worldwide in 2007 and lost $38.7 billion. Toyota sold 9.37 million vehicles in 2007 and made $17.1 ...
I told my wife a few months ago that we might not recognize this country in about 10 years. I need to revise those comments, it is happening now.
We are nationalizing free markets!
Banks
Auto
Future Health Care
Oil and Energy (You should listen to Congress woman Maxine Waters here)
Generations of hard work are going to be turned over to our govt.?
I honestly believe the American auto makers have a better chance of surviving if the federal govt. stays out. There are already programs in place to handle these situations, bankruptcy. I would rather buy a vehicle from GM than GGM (GovtGM).
Congress will once again be going against the will of We The People because of the unions and their financial influence of mostly democratic congress members.
George W. Bush has disapointed me on the bail out issues. The republicans in congress may stop the auto bail out this time, but it's just a matter of time with the new administration taking over.
Have a little fun and try making up some govt. car names. Remember the Yugo? How about YUOWE or IOU SUV or Cadilack.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Article 2, Section 1 of the Constitution
No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
As WND has reported, there remain serious questions as to whether Obama is "a natural born citizen," as specified in Article 2, Section 1 of the Constitution. While he claims to have been born in Hawaii in 1961, two Obama family members have told WND they were present at his birth in Mombasa, Kenya.
From World Net Daily:
Dear member of the Electoral College:
Before you cast your vote Monday to make Barack Hussein Obama Jr. the next president of the United States, please seriously consider the following:
Right now, a dozen lawsuits are pending all over the United States – including one brought by a former presidential candidate and U.N. ambassador, and another suit brought by a former deputy attorney general of Pennsylvania, plus there are many others – all attempting to bring clarity to an issue that will haunt an Obama presidency if it isn't dealt with now.
That issue, as you surely know, is the fact that the U.S. Constitution says clearly and unambiguously in Article 2, Section 1 that presidents must be natural born citizens. But, as is evident not only from lawsuits, but from news stories and the actions of millions of Americans signing petitions, this constitutional issue has not yet been addressed, even at this late hour.
Unfortunately, there isn't enough time for our slow-moving legal process to deal with this before the Electoral College meets next week. Only you, our Electors, have the power and responsibility – and the obligation under the Constitution – to use your authority to establish, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Barack Hussein Obama Jr. qualifies for the office under that standard.
There is grave and widespread concern throughout the American public that this constitutional requirement is being overlooked and enforcement neglected by state and federal election authorities. There should be no doubt whatsoever that America's next president was truly born in the United States.
Remember, if the Constitution doesn't mean precisely what it says, then America is no longer a nation under the rule of law. And a nation no longer under the rule of law is, by definition, under the rule of men.
Therefore I urge you to honor the Constitution in this matter and uphold the public trust – even if doing so may prove awkward or inconvenient.
All Americans should have confidence their president is eligible to serve. In this unique and historic case, you may prove to be the Constitution's last line of defense.
Sincerely,
My Comments:
The president elect will have issues with the constitution from the start.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
This controversy is the responsibility of We The People to resolve. Barack Hussein Obama Jr. will come and go, our constitution needs to be protected for future generations. Why can't Mr. Obama provide proof of citizenship? How and why has this issue been ignored by so many? I guess Mr. Obama thinks he's above the requirements of the Constitution or this is his first step in rewriting it. But then again you don't have to rewrite it if you can just get away with ignoring it.
I will be writing more about the challenges our constitution faces in the future.
Hang on it's going to be a bumpy ride.
As WND has reported, there remain serious questions as to whether Obama is "a natural born citizen," as specified in Article 2, Section 1 of the Constitution. While he claims to have been born in Hawaii in 1961, two Obama family members have told WND they were present at his birth in Mombasa, Kenya.
From World Net Daily:
Dear member of the Electoral College:
Before you cast your vote Monday to make Barack Hussein Obama Jr. the next president of the United States, please seriously consider the following:
Right now, a dozen lawsuits are pending all over the United States – including one brought by a former presidential candidate and U.N. ambassador, and another suit brought by a former deputy attorney general of Pennsylvania, plus there are many others – all attempting to bring clarity to an issue that will haunt an Obama presidency if it isn't dealt with now.
That issue, as you surely know, is the fact that the U.S. Constitution says clearly and unambiguously in Article 2, Section 1 that presidents must be natural born citizens. But, as is evident not only from lawsuits, but from news stories and the actions of millions of Americans signing petitions, this constitutional issue has not yet been addressed, even at this late hour.
Unfortunately, there isn't enough time for our slow-moving legal process to deal with this before the Electoral College meets next week. Only you, our Electors, have the power and responsibility – and the obligation under the Constitution – to use your authority to establish, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Barack Hussein Obama Jr. qualifies for the office under that standard.
There is grave and widespread concern throughout the American public that this constitutional requirement is being overlooked and enforcement neglected by state and federal election authorities. There should be no doubt whatsoever that America's next president was truly born in the United States.
Remember, if the Constitution doesn't mean precisely what it says, then America is no longer a nation under the rule of law. And a nation no longer under the rule of law is, by definition, under the rule of men.
Therefore I urge you to honor the Constitution in this matter and uphold the public trust – even if doing so may prove awkward or inconvenient.
All Americans should have confidence their president is eligible to serve. In this unique and historic case, you may prove to be the Constitution's last line of defense.
Sincerely,
My Comments:
The president elect will have issues with the constitution from the start.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
This controversy is the responsibility of We The People to resolve. Barack Hussein Obama Jr. will come and go, our constitution needs to be protected for future generations. Why can't Mr. Obama provide proof of citizenship? How and why has this issue been ignored by so many? I guess Mr. Obama thinks he's above the requirements of the Constitution or this is his first step in rewriting it. But then again you don't have to rewrite it if you can just get away with ignoring it.
I will be writing more about the challenges our constitution faces in the future.
Hang on it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Today in History
On December 9, 1992, U.S. Marines landed in Somalia as a part of Operation Restore Hope, designed to help the war-torn and famine-ravaged nation.
LATE IN THE AFTERNOON of Sunday, Oct. 3, 1993, attack helicopters dropped about 120 elite American soldiers into a busy neighborhood in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia. Their mission was to abduct several top lieutenants of Somalian warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid and return to base. It was supposed to take about an hour.
Instead, two of their high-tech attack helicopters were shot down. The men were pinned down through a long and terrible night in a hostile city, fighting for their lives. When they emerged the following morning, 18 Americans were dead and 73 were wounded. One, helicopter pilot Michael Durant, had been carried off by an angry mob. He was still alive, held captive somewhere in the city.
The True Story of Black Hawk Down Can be viewed here.
LATE IN THE AFTERNOON of Sunday, Oct. 3, 1993, attack helicopters dropped about 120 elite American soldiers into a busy neighborhood in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia. Their mission was to abduct several top lieutenants of Somalian warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid and return to base. It was supposed to take about an hour.
Instead, two of their high-tech attack helicopters were shot down. The men were pinned down through a long and terrible night in a hostile city, fighting for their lives. When they emerged the following morning, 18 Americans were dead and 73 were wounded. One, helicopter pilot Michael Durant, had been carried off by an angry mob. He was still alive, held captive somewhere in the city.
The True Story of Black Hawk Down Can be viewed here.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Freedom Friday
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759
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